The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-05-07

A WARNING TO FARMERS.


A WARNING TO FARMERS.
The confidence man who lies in wait for
the unsuspecting farmer is a versatile being
who does not confne himself to traffic in
lightning rods or Bohemian oats, but resorts
to other methods when conditions seem
favorable. A pair of these plausible rascals,
as a correspondent of the Journal relates
have lately been endeavoring to practice their
profession in Wayne county. In the course
of their peregrinations, one, in the guise of a
wealthy citizen from Virginia called upon
Mr.. Isaac Doddridge, a well-known and we'll
TODD farmer of that county. and represented
himself as DESTROYS of purchasing stock farm
for his son. He wanted a large farm, would
not be a stickler to price, would pay cash,
and favorably impressed with the land
which Mr.. Doddridge owned. After some
chaffering an engagement was made to look
over the ground on the following day. and at
| the hour appointed the wealthy stranger was
on hand with horse and wagon He pro-
posed that they go first to a remote part of
the land, and Mr.. Doddridge. suspecting
nothing wrong of gentleman so affable
and apparently prosperous, readily consented,
remembering later, however that the tract in
question was distant from the public high
way and from neighbors. AS they were about
to turn into these fields a second stranger, in
light wagon, came driving up rapidly and
hailed them, but upon receiving Mr.. Dodd-
ridges assurance that he did not know the
man, stranger No. l said that as he himself
never saw him before the business could not
be important, and they would drive on. On
arrival at retired spot, it was found that
stranger No. had followed them. He intro
duced himself as an advertising agent of
Southern lottery, and that he not selling
tickets but merely wished to secure the names
of two or three responsible men in each county,
who would be allowed to draw large prizes
simply on condition that they publish the fact
in the papers. Then, with charts and papers,
he undertook to show the fair method in
which the lottery operated, and the i'm
possibility of fraud in its workings Stranger
No. became deeply interested in the scheme
and when it was presently proposed that they
try their luck then and there, readily agreed,
and on the first trial drew So, which he was
allowed to keep on condition that he would
show an equal amount. Mr. Doddridge, hay
ing been a reader Of the papers to some pur-
pose, had before this time realized
the situation, but, believing silence
to be the part of discretion, offered no
objection when urged to try his chances and
laid down So, taking pains at the same time
to show that this, with little odd change,
was all the money in his pocket book The first
stranger then drew So, 500, and on exhibiting
some "a, 900 or So, 900 of his own received the
prize. Mr.. Doddridge then drew So, 500, ALSO
but upon his assurance that he had not an
equal sum upon his person to show, some dis
appointment was visible in the faces of both
strangers. He was urged to give check, but
protested that he had no blanks. 1t was then
arranged that he drive to Richmond with the
wealthy Virginian, draw the money and re-
turn to the place where they then were, the
second stranger to remain in waiting Up to
this time Mr.. Doddrdge had expressed no
doubts, but his silence and hesitation had
probably aroused his companions suspicious
as before arriving at village in the vicinity
and at which point Mr.. Doddridge hoped to
secure the arrest of the rascal with him, this
imam of wealth suddenly decided to go no
further, said he believed the thing was a fraud
and that he would go back and return the
cash he had drawn and have no more to do
with the matter. Mr.. Doddridge willingly
assented, was set down at his own door, and
now congratulates himself that his lack
of ready money at critical time saved
him from assault and perhaps saved his life.
The rascals in selecting their victim made mis-
take on this occasion as it is not par of their
scheme to waste time who read the
newspapers and are posted to the ways that
are dark of the confidence gentry In these
DAYS when gas booms 'on," and the
rural citizen, as we'll as the dweller in the
city, is excited by hopes of future wealth, and
even by the sudden accumulation of moderate
riches, the scoundrel who seeks what he may
devour in the way of unsophisticated grangers
is abroad in the land in a variety of dis
who wants to buy everything in sight for
cash he Is, perhaps, more irresistible than in
any other form, and it is of the wealthy
stranger, therefore, with whom few thou
that the careful Hoosier should beware. The